Diamond Peak

morning was brisk, clear and sunny with dreamy fluffy powder underfoot at 4,000ft where we parked on road 2149, our car plowing snow.  Took a short cut in distance but thick brush made it much more difficult than taking the longer road approach to the trailhead.  Still not enough snow coverage to wander off trail till over 6,000ft where is was now sunny and warm and snow sticking to tops and bottoms of our skis and skins.  Made for difficult slow travel till over 7,000 and started getting wind blasted occasionally.  From a knoll just over 8,000 ft condition so varied we ditched our skis and boot packed up the summit ridge, a shallow layer of fresh snow on top and adhered to a block of ice underneath.  The ski down was way more effort than should be allowed in cascade concrete, getting back to our up-track helped.  First time summiting Diamond peak in the winter and I have tried many times.  Excited to finally complete that.  Now how will the weather be this coming weekend to get out.  On the south slopes climbing we found a solid layer underneath some wind blow affected new that was well bonded and shallow.  Had some high winds and clouds on top, otherwise a great day out.

wish i could figure out how to post a Photo?  cant seem to figure it out